Government refuses to reveal Renters’ Rights Bill court impact assessment
10 months ago | 6 comments
Landlords urged to act early for the Renters’ Rights Bill
9:36 AM, 10th June 2025, 10 months ago
15
The abolition of fixed-term tenancy agreements and replacing them with open-ended, periodic arrangements will redefine the dynamics between landlords and tenants, one PRS expert says.
The change is part of the Renters’ Rights Bill which will allow renters to exit tenancies with just two months’ notice.
Now, Allison Thompson, the national lettings managing director at Leaders, is urging landlords to act by urgently reviewing their tenancy agreements.
They also need to look at maintaining properties to retain tenants and monitor local rent trends to minimise voids, she says.
By taking action early, landlords can ‘adapt with confidence’ and continue running successful rental businesses.
Tenants take control
Ms Thompson said: “If passed in its current form, the Bill will introduce open-ended tenancy agreements as standard. This would reshape how private rentals work, with big implications for landlords, tenants and agents alike.
“We believe the move to periodic tenancies can work well for everyone involved when approached with the right strategy.”
For landlords, she says, the shift could disrupt the predictability of fixed-term agreements, which typically span 12 months with a six-month break clause.
The change may lead to more frequent tenant turnover and potential gaps in rental income.
However, Ms Thompson sees a silver lining: “Landlords would gain more flexibility to adjust rents in line with market conditions and regain possession of their property more easily, provided they follow the correct legal process.”
The English Housing Survey reveals that tenants typically stay for more than four years.
Non-compliance, however, carries a sting since landlords issuing fixed-term contracts post-legislation could face fines of up to £7,000.
Student landlord issues
Student properties have sparked debate as an amendment proposed in the House of Lords seeking to preserve fixed-term tenancies for shared student houses (HMOs) to align with academic calendars wasn’t taken up.
However, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) remains exempt, and will continue with fixed-term contracts.
Ms Thompson said: “Landlords operating in the student market should begin preparing for different rules depending on the type of property and agreement in place.”
As the Bill progresses, existing fixed-term tenancies are expected to transition automatically to periodic agreements, with landlords obliged to notify tenants within a specified period.
Leaders is proactively preparing its clients, revising contracts and offering guidance to navigate the changes.
Tags:
Landlords, open-ended tenancies, periodic agreements, Private Rented Sector, renters rights bill, Student Housing, tenants, UK tenancy laws
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Member Since May 2025 - Comments: 74
9:49 AM, 10th June 2025, About 10 months ago
What is the article about?
The court system is already broken and the abolition of section 21 (so everything becomes section 8) will overload it even more. Expect 2+ years to get an eviction hearing. The Freedom of Information request for the assessed impact on the courts of the Renter Reform bill was refused by the government – presumably because they know it will make things worse. The only positive news I can see is that councils and social housing will have to deal with the same sh#t legal system as us. Councils eviction legal costs were circa £140M last year – expect that to double…at tax payers expensive.
I am aware that you can escalate evictions from County Court to High Court to speed things up. Maybe that’s the way to go.
Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 1969 - Articles: 1
9:55 AM, 10th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Steve Roberts at 10/06/2025 – 09:49
But you need permission from the County Court to transfer to the High Court…which will likely be denied (as it often is when dealing with debt). They don’t want a free-flowing system. They want it all bogged down, nice and slow.
Member Since May 2024 - Comments: 47
10:10 AM, 10th June 2025, About 10 months ago
It’s pretty clear from the governments refusal to publish the courts impact assessment that it will make matters worse. Problem is it works in the councils favour as the longer the tenants are in the PRS (potentially not paying their rent) the less time the council has to spend re homing them and potentially paying for emergency accommodation. Labour are taking the PRS for mugs.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2197 - Articles: 2
10:36 AM, 10th June 2025, About 10 months ago
The act is setting up landlords to fail and tenants to become homeless. Allison Thompson claims a silver lining, where I see a nothing but a lead coffin.
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
10:50 AM, 10th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Steve Roberts at 10/06/2025 – 09:49
Also Build To Rent will have to deal with the same system as us. Can’t see the big corporates being happy with huge Court delays either. Will Two Tier Kier give Build To Rent special court treatment, jumping the queue with fast tracked possession cases ? Seems to me he’ll have to…. got keep his mates at Blackrock, Aviva, Legal & General happy.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3515 - Articles: 5
5:42 PM, 10th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 10/06/2025 – 10:50
Councils and Housing Associations will be subject to this too….and we all know that the majority of S21’s are actually issued and possessions claimed by this sector and not the PRS so it will be really, really interesting how this pans out…
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3515 - Articles: 5
5:44 PM, 10th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 10/06/2025 – 10:50
…but the B2R brigade wont be housing those without their own income will they….benefit tenants automatically excluded by default of not meeting affordability in the first place…
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1581
7:11 PM, 10th June 2025, About 10 months ago
What does Ms Thompson mean when she says : “If passed in its current form, the Bill will introduce open-ended tenancy agreements as standard.”
AFAIA, tenancies are already open-ended as standard. The Bill just removes the fixed term.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
7:48 AM, 11th June 2025, About 10 months ago
How can you possibly review the agreements now as the final tweaks to the RRB haven’t been decided yet. I will wait till it is passed and then get an updated tenancy agreement from the NRLA (yes NRLA are usually a waste of time , but for agreements and forms they are spot on)
Member Since February 2024 - Comments: 32
9:11 PM, 11th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 10/06/2025 – 19:11
No fixed tenancies from day one means tenants can move out any time they like.